If you are planning a trip at all this year, then maybe you should consider taking a fun-filled excursion to Costa Rica! In 2008 more than two million people decided to take that small step in visiting Costa Rica and that did not just happen by chance! Costa Rica is a tropical oasis with over half of its land mass protected by natural reserves! It has been deemed politically stable and economically prosperous making it a hot-spot for those business men and women looking for a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of North American culture.

Even with all of these facts stated, a person cant help but wonder what to do once you get off the plane. After you get off the plane, what you do depends on which direction you set off in! The trip from the West coast of Costa Rica to the East coast takes about three to four hours on land and only 45 minutes by air. But in that small distance a person could tour a coffee plantation, go rafting on the beautiful tropical rivers, or even climb a volcano! Taking a pit-stop in San Jose, the Costa Rican capital city, would be a must for any serious sightseer. Experiencing things like the National Symphony Orchestra, the Marriott Costa Rica, eyeballing the 1880 piece gold collection at the Gold Museum or even touring the National Museum that is built within the former Buenavista fortress.

But if big cities arent your thing, you could easily find some of the most relaxing, tropical hideaways in the area within a couple of hour from San Jose. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve would be the place to go in February to witness not only the mating habits of the beautiful Quetzal but also the 2,500 types of plants, the 399 other species of birds, and the 110 different kinds of mammals! Or you could visit the Arenal Volcano Nation Park for a hiking excursion, the Caribbean coast to visit the Tortuguero Lodge that is placed inside the exotic Tortuguero National Park, or even the Manuel Antonio National Park that is found on the Central Pacific Coastline. There really is something for everyone that can be found in Costa Rica!

Book your trip today at TropicalTravel.net!

In Riviera Maya and Cancun there have been countless, All-Inclusive resorts built on the beach front. Most of them built as close to the beach as the government allowed and then connected to the road with private drive-ways and made into beautiful beach hotels and resorts. But the only downside to all of these beautiful, All-Inclusive resorts being constructed is that the ecosystems in the Riviera Maya have been destroyed and polluted. For instance, there is a plant called the mangrove that grows on the coastlines of most tropical locations that help protect the coasts from erosion, surge storms, and tsunamis and they do this through their root systems that work to dissipate wave energy. This plant has largely been removed from the areas that the resorts have been built to make room for pools, hotels, and driveways.

But as always there is an exception to this enviromental incident caused by all of the construction and tourism. The Mayakoba Resort and the Tres Rios Hotel have been constructed without destrying the enviroment, and have actually been built in such a way that they have helped encourage the aquatic ecosystems found in the Riviera Maya! For instance, instead of removing all of the mangroves and underground rivers that are so vitally important to the ecosystem, the Mayakoba resort has simply uncovered some of these underground rivers and has used them as the center piece of the resort creating an atmosphere of being in the jungle instead of being on the beach. But never fear! The beach is still only a few minutes away, and is actually connected to the resort via the new uncovered river systems.

But in addition to the Mayakoba the Tres Rios hotel has also implemented a new, green design that was created to not only preserve but utilize the natural ecosystem of the Mexican beaches. The Tres Rios has been built on more than 400 piles of permeable rock so that the hotel has about 3 yards of clearance between the ground/lagoon and the hotel floor. This was done so that the rivers and plant life could live on without being disturbed. Both of these hotels have actually seen an increase in animal life since being built because of the aquatic ecosystems that have been created. These hotels also utilize multiple systems of using green energy and not letting things go to waste. For instance they sort all of the garbage before it is recycled and their water comes from the ocean and is distilled in a processing machine instead of using the ground wells and depleting resources.

For more information on booking a trip to the Riviera Maya or either of these hotels please contact us at tropicaltravel.net!

Belize just recently gained independence from Great Britain in 1981 but is seen as one of the most beautiful travel destinations in South America. Belize is a unique vacationing spot in South America because of the fact that it is one of the few countries on the continent that speaks English as a native tongue. But dont let the language fool you, this small country might speak English but it is a cultural blend of Spanish, Mayan, Caribbean, and British culture, which makes it a very interesting place to explore!

If a person were to travel to Belize and did not want to wander very far into the country they could find many things to do in the capital, Belize City. Things like the Museum of Belize, the St. Johns Catherdral, which is the oldest Anglican Church in Central America, and the House of Culture could draw a group of people interested in culture and history. While at the same time the Belize Zoo and Community Baboon Sanctuary located just outside of Belize City could give a taste of the exotic nature found in this small Central American vacation hotspot. But no matter where you go in Belize, a person can always find something to do. Whether it is hunting for the perfect photo of a puma at the Los Roques Archipelago National Park, diving and snorkeling in the Ambergris Caye, or even taking part in the February/March Carnival found in Merida complete with bull fighs, masquerades, street dancing, and parades, there is something for everyone in Belize! (And yes, 709 different ice cream flavors can be found at Coromoto Ice Cream Parlor in Merida!)

For more information on booking a trip to Belize please contact us at tropicaltravel.net!

The Hippodrome Hotel is the invention of Tom Shortt, who boasts that Hip is his favorite word. He wanted to take the vibe of the SoHo neighborhood right out of New York City and drop it into Mexico City what he got was something unique and yes, even Hip.

The Hippodrome is a hotel converted out of a 1930s apartment building that showcases Shortts dream and five years of hard work. The rooms are luxurious and to the point. They are minimalist in design but beautiful in selection. The guests can instantly feel at ease in Shortts creation as they relax with their own iPod station, wireless Internet, a 27inch flat screen LCD TV, and for the vacationers without cell phone reception, a cordless phone for convenience. If exercise is a must guests are free to venture only a couple blocks away where there is a full gym waiting for them. The gym includes spinning and Pilates classes, cardio machines, weight rooms, and a climbing wall.

The 16 rooms are equipped not only with Art Deco Flair but the option of penthouse sweets. This amenity adds its additional, unique, and unforgettable flair. In the penthouse you will find a Jacuzzi bathtub, which opens up into the terrace, a sun lounge, and a table for all dinning experiences. The trendy feel of the New York lifestyle is on full display as guests ride up in a vintage cage elevator and halls are lined with Pop art.

The nightlife is the perfect clash of Mexico City and New York. The restaurants turn into party bars and guests into the perfect party crowd. The Hip Kitchen Bistro loved by the locals and the vacationers is the place to be after dark. Live music, authentic Mexican cuisine, and a great vibe make it hard to get into and even harder to leave.

Mexico City is known as a city on the go. After walking the city streets you can find solace in the Hippodromes rock gardens filled with palm tries and quiet. Although the Hippodrome is up, running, and making a name for itself Shortt has not relaxed. He just bought a mansion next door to the property as is planning on refurbishing it into a private club. The best definition of this Hotel can be explained through Shortts favorite Frank Lloyd Wright quote, Give me the luxuries of life and I will gladly do without the necessities.

One of the ultimate paradises left untouched on this planet.
The name literally means rich coast but Costa Rica is rich for more reasons than its coasts. Costa Rica has been able to distinguish itself from the rest of Central America with its political stability, strong democratic institutions, and low violent crime rates. Costa Rica’s tourism industry has excelled due to its biodiversity, location, stability, strong environmental lobby, its higher standard of living, and the warm hearted hospitality of its people. Ecotourism means ecological tourism and Costa Rica is proof of that.

Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity offers foreigners a glimpse at mountains, volcanoes, beaches and rainforests, all located within a relatively small region. Costa Rica’s diverse flora and fauna are protected in 24 national parks. In spite of its small size harbors an amazing variety of climatic zones and natural habitats are due to the height of the mountain ranges which separate the lowlands of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. 

 One of the best of Central America’s capitals, Panama City is where you can find comfort, relaxation, luxury, and nature all in one place.  Within the city you can find such luxury, international hotels such as InterContinental Marima, Marriot, Radisson Decapolis, and boutique hotels such as Bristol, and Canal House.  The Dining is also something to experience, where many establishments feature dishes from around the globe, such as French, Spanish, Lebanese and Chinese, along with Panamanian specialties from the traditional to the un-conventional.

 Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the colonial district of Casco Viejo, is best traveled on foot, and here your feet will take you to architectural sites, ruins, museums and forests aplenty.  Here you can find the Metropolitan Cathedral, the ruins of the Santo Domingo Church, the golden altar of the Church of San Jose and Las Bovedas promenades.  In older Panama, or Panama Viejo, you will find the remaining ruins that range from the old city hall to a slave market.  Also visit the Panama Viejo Museum and the Metropolitan Park, which is the only protected tropical forest within city limits in the Americas, which has some 200 species of birds among a large array of animals.

 The nature-rich Canal Zone offers not only the 50-mile-long waterway it’s known for, but the other fascinating areas among the area.  An hour from Panama City you will find the Sobernia National Park, a vast rainforest where you can experience an environment inhabited with howler monkeys, sloth’s, and many bird species, making bird watching ideal along the 11-mile-long Pipeline Road.  On Isla Barro Colorado, in the middle of Lake Gatun, visit the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.  This is the place to go to see Panama’s tapirs, coatis, peccaries, ocelots and rare red deer that inhabit the island.  And within this park, they offer two lodgings:  the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which offers hiking and boating tours, cycling, kayaking, and spa; and the deluxe Canopy Tower Ecolodge, which is set high in the rainforest, giving you a breath-taking viewpoint of treetop wildlife.

 Costa Rica, with its natural wonders, beautiful scenery, and rich culture, has always been a popular destination for those looking for adventure, or just to relax in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  With a half-dozen active volcanoes in the country, and many species of bird and animal spread across the area, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for anyone.

 San Jose, the capital, central and interior city of Costa Rica, presents a casuality and beauty that embraces all that visit there.  This is the main spot in Costa Rica, and is home to sophisticated, yet informal restaurants, performances by its National Symphony Orchestra, and high-end hotels such as Marriott Costa Rica Hotel, the Real InterContinental, the Hilton Cariari and the Grano de Oro. 

 One main attraction of San Jose is its museums.  The National Museum features pre-Columbian artifacts in stone, ceramic and gold, along with colonial religious art.  The Jade Museum is home to the Americas’ largest collection of jade pieces.  At the Gold Museum you will find their 1,800-piece collection, located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura.  And the Costa Rican Art Museum features 19th century works.  While there, you will also want to stop at the National Theater, and Mercado Central, the lively square-block that hosts one of San Jose’s best indoor markets.

 When it comes to the natural side of San Jose, you need not look far.  From the central town you can take day trips to numerous countryside beauties.  Nearby is the town of Sarchi, where you can watch craftsmen make oxcarts and paint them.  Also, two of Costa Rica’s volcanoes are easily accessible from San Jose.  One of which, Irazu Volcano, is the country’s tallest at 11,325 ft., and has five craters.  And if you follow a paved road to the summit during the dry season, you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific.  And The Poas Volcano stands at 8,650 ft. and is one of the country’s most active.  Here you can hike trails that wind through the forest and lead you to the beautiful crater lake.  Also nearby is INBio Park, which is part museum, part education center, part nature park, or the Lankester Gardens, which home some 800 varieties of orchids that are found in Costa Rica, or the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which include a large butterfly garden, a hummingbird garden and an orchid garden.

 Guanacaste is perfect for activities such as scuba diving, sportfighing, surfing and kayaking and is the home for upscale travel and luxury in Costa Rica.  Sol Melia started the craze with their 345-suite Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort and Golf Club.  Among the others who followed in this trend are:  Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, a top luxury resort that also features an 18-hole Arnold Palmer course, full-service spa, and five restaurants; the Hilton Papagayo Resort, which joined the ranks as one the top resorts of Guanacaste last year; the Hyatt Regency Azulera Resort & Spa, which features a Greg Norman championship golf course, which opens next year. 

 Throughout all of Costa Rica two of the top attractions are the sea turtles that flock to the area and the canopy tours that zip you across the sky above the rainforest.  In Costa Rica you can spot six different species of sea turtle-Olive Ridley, Pacific green, Atlantic green, hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback-and easily at that.  One of the main places for spotting the turtles is Santa Rosa National Park, is near Liberia, among others are:  Las Baulas National Park near Tamarindo; and The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge near Playa Nosaria, which happens to be where the massive egg-laying of the Olive Ridley take place.  At the new L’Aquavia Hotel they put you right on the scene for the Olive Ridley egg-layings.  Also on the Caribbean coast you’ll find the Tortuguero National Park, which protects the nesting ground for the endangered giant leatherback turtles.  There are at least 30 canopy tours strewn across the country that allow you to fly about the rainforest canopy to observe the local birds, butterflies, animals (especially monkeys), flowers and plant life.  You will observe, without harming, from above by the means of funiculars, aerial gondolas, platforms, bridges, walkways, skywalks and ziplines.